Valances tie in window treatments to other elements in kitchen design

Nov 8 2010

High gloss finishes are among the top trends in kitchen design.

Kitchens have always been the heart of the home, bringing families together over meals and making visitors feel welcome.

But as different functions have evolved in the kitchen, so has the designs needed to carry out those activities. Setting up a small desk area in a corner of the kitchen, for instance, means designing an area that will coordinate with shelving units and won't disrupt the travel patterns needed for food preparation.

"With a trend for more open-plan living, the kitchen is the hub of the home where all the family can congregate, so it can cater for many different other activities and makes it worth spending the money on, as well as adding value to your property," said Ronnie Whelan, editor of Essential Kitchen Bathroom Bedroom magazine, according to AboutProperty.co.uk.

Whelan said high-gloss finishes are one of the current trends in kitchen design, but homeowners are choosing to mix and match different colors to put their own stamp on their decorating style.

One way to tie cabinetry into window treatments for windows that fall between cabinets is to install a valance in matching wood tones. A valance can be mounted over window shades, blinds or curtains.